Cyclone 'Michaung': Chennai Schools, Offices To Remain Closed Tomorrow. Public Holiday Declared In 4 Districts. Top Points

A public holiday has been declared in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts on Tuesday.

In the wake of cyclone 'Michaung', a public holiday has been declared in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts on Tuesday. All schools, colleges, educational institutions, and government offices, including the offices of public undertakings and corporations, boards, banks, and financial institutions, will be closed in these districts.

The India Meterological Department has said that the cyclonic storm 'Michaung' over the Bay of Bengal is active and likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by Monday as some parts of Odisha experienced light to moderate rain.

Here Are Top Points:

• Tamil Nadu Government has requested private companies and establishments in four districts of Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu to allow their employees to work from home on Tuesday as much as possible due to heavy rains and its impact.


• Five southern Odisha districts - Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam - were put on alert as the IMD issued Yellow Warning (be updated) of 7 cm to 11 cm rainfall on Monday and the intensity of rain (orange warning) is likely to increase in these areas on December 5, as reported by news agency PTI.


• As per the order issued by the Tamil Nadu government, all essential services, such as police, fire service, local bodies, milk supply, water supply, hospitals and medical shops, power supply, transport, fuel outlets, hotels and restaurants, etc, and the offices engaged in disaster response, relief, and rescue activities, shall function as usual.


• Thirty three flights bound for Chennai were diverted to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Monday in view of heavy rains that continued to lash several parts of Tamil Nadu including Chennai. Due to the severe weather conditions, the Chennai airport has been closed for arrival and departure operations till 11 pm on Monday. 


• Amid the heavy rainfall and strong wind in Chennai, trees were uprooted and normal life was disrupted. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into deep sea along and off Odisha coast during December 4-6.


• Farmers have started harvesting their standing matured crops as advised by the state government, an official said, as reported by news agency PTI.


• The cyclonic storm 'Michaung' (pronounced as Migjaum) over Southwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph during past 6 hours at 5.30 am of Monday and located at about 110 km east-northeast of Chennai, 190 km southeast of Nellore, 210 km northeast of Puducherry, 310 km south-southeast of Bapatla and 330 km southeast of Machilipatnam. 


• The IMD has also warned of squally wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph along and off Odisha coast (Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, and Jagatsinghpur) from December 4 evening and it is likely to gradually increase to 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph from December 5 evening for subsequent 12 hours.